Host Families Abroad (Homestays)

In a homestay, you will live with a host family and immerse yourself in their culture and language. For example, you might share meals together or they might take you around the city. Be aware that not all host families are with a nuclear family with parents and children.

Depending on your program, hosts can vary in terms of age and family situation.

Benefits

Returning students often report that the host families experience was one of the best aspects from studying abroad. By living in a home stay, you will: 

•  Interact daily with locals.
•  Become a member of the family and build life-long bonds.
•  Experience first-hand the customs you will learn about in class
• Practice a foreign language with native speakers in their day-to-day lives
• Have meals provided by your host family (this varies by program; check with yours to see what is included).

Challenges

Despite the many benefits of living with a host family, it can also be challenging, especially if you’ve lived on your own in college and are used to independence. You will be living in someone else house, and your host may have rules that you should follow. Also, there will be cultural differences.

Dietary Concerns

In many areas of the world certain special diets, such as vegetarian, are not common. Not eating the food your host family prepares, even if for dietary reasons, may be considered rude. If, for cultural, religious or personal reasons you do not eat certain types of food contact your study abroad program administrator before you leave to ensure that a host family can accommodate you.

Tips

You may be the first minority, disabled, or GLBT student housed by your host family. Don’t let this turn deter you from living in a home stay. In spite of your differences, your host family will probably be just as interested in your culture as you will be in theirs. Even if you share cultural heritage with your host family, do not expect them to be just like you. Remember, being open-minded about every aspect of studying abroad will ensure that you gain the most from your experience.